GROUP SAYS “CELEBRATE SAFE” DURING PROM AND GRADUATION

Spring is an exciting time of year for high school students with performances, prom and graduation festivities. To bring attention to the need for safe celebrations, Community Awareness Network for a Drug-free Life and Environment (CANDLE), a county-wide youth substance abuse and violence prevention agency, recently surveyed 225 high school students between the ages of 14 and 18 in Rockland County. Seventy percent of students said they have friends their age that drink alcohol more than once a month. Forty-three percent acknowledged that they have friends who have purchased alcohol using a fake ID. CANDLE is responding to these results by raising awareness in the community through two substance abuse prevention campaigns during this prom and graduation season.

Flyers will be attached to pizza takeout orders with messages encouraging parents to communicate the risks and consequences of using alcohol and drugs to ensure they have a safe and positive experience. Research has shown that parents are the #1 influence in their children’s lives AND children are less likely to drink alcohol or use drugs if they know their parents disapprove. Through CANDLE’s “Only 2 Will Do” initiative, retailers are asked to voluntarily display “Only 2 Will Do” signs and stickers, and request that young adults supply two forms of identification before selling them alcoholic beverages.

The following businesses are participating in this community-wide campaign: